Drilling fluid flow facilitation

ABSTRACT

A system for facilitating flow of settled solids with drilling fluid from a container, the system including pressure nozzle apparatus with at least one nozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure, powered rotation apparatus for selectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so that the at least one nozzle is movable within the container as fluid is pumped through the at least one nozzle into the container; and, in one aspect, translation apparatus for moving the pressure nozzle apparatus with respect to the container as fluid under pressure is pumped to the at least one rotating nozzle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to drilling fluid container systems,flow facilitators for such systems, and to methods of their use.

2. Description of Related Art

In drilling operations in the oil industry drilling fluids known as“mud” are circulated down a drillstring, through a bit, and then backout of a wellbore during drilling to remove drilled cuttings and debrisfrom the immediate drilling area. During a drilling operation, the mudis continuously pumped down through the drill string and into the regionaround the drill bit, picking up drilled cuttings and debris, and thenback up a borehole annulus to the surface. Often the mud is made up ofclays, chemical additives and an oil or water base and performs severalimportant functions. The mud cools and lubricates the drill bit, carriesdrill cuttings back up out of the well, and serves to maintain ahydrostatic pressure which prevents pressurized fluids in the earthformation from blowing out through the drilled well.

The mud exiting the wellbore is pumped to a mud pit and then tocontainers or “mud tanks” in which it resides until it is recirculateddown the wellbore. In both the mud pits and in the mud tanks solids inthe mud can settle and/or agglomerate forming relatively large masseswhich are difficult to deal with, which inhibit good flow back into awellbore, and which can clog pumping and flow equipment.

One effort to deal with these problems employs mud guns which supplyfluid, e.g. water, under pressure that is pumped through a nozzleapparatus within a mud container to break up large undesirable solidmasses and to facilitate mud flow from the container. In certainsystems, the mud gun is manually turned with a handle extending abovethe mud gun.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, methods forrecovering usable drilling fluid from solid masses adjacent a floor of acontainer, the method including: moving solid masses adjacent a floor ofa container with a moving system, the moving system having pressurenozzle apparatus with at least one nozzle from which is flowable fluidunder pressure to move the solid masses, and powered rotation apparatusconnected to the pressure nozzle apparatus for selectively rotating thepressure nozzle apparatus so that the at least one nozzle is rotatablewithin the container to enhance movement of the solid masses as fluid ispumped through the at least one nozzle; the method further includingrotating the pressure nozzle apparatus with the powered rotationapparatus, and evacuating from the container with pump apparatusdrilling fluid and solid masses moved by the moving system.

The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a system forfacilitating the flow of drilling fluid from containers, the systemincluding, in certain aspects, a pressure nozzle apparatus which isrotated by rotation apparatus. In certain particular aspects thepressure nozzle apparatus is rotated automatically. In one aspect, thepressure nozzle is rotated at between 8 and 20 rpm's. In one particularaspect it is rotated at about 12 rpm. Such a system can move settledsolids which are then pumped to further processing apparatus (e.g.shaker(s) and/or centrifuge(s)) to re-claim re-usable drilling fluid.Such a system can also facilitate the flow of mud from the container andcan enhance the breaking up or dispersion of solid masses so that theyare mixed with the mud for efficient re-use.

In one particular aspect, sensors in or adjacent the mud containerand/or mud flow lines sense parameters of the mud—e.g., density,composition, or viscosity—and then the sensors signal a control systemthat activates the rotation apparatus and the pressure nozzle apparatusto jet fluid into the mud to change its parameters thereby facilitatingits flow from the container and/or breaking or dispersing solid massesand mixing them with the mud for re-use; or the control systemdetermines that mud composition should be changed. Particular sensorswith specified locations are used to effect the jetting of fluid to aspecific location in a container.

In certain particular aspects, a pressure nozzle apparatus according tothe present invention has one, two, three, four, five or more individualnozzles from which fluid, e.g., water and/or additional drilling fluid,is pumped under pressure. Any nozzle of any system according to thepresent invention may be directed horizontally within a mud container(e.g., tank or pit), downwardly, or upwardly. In one particular aspect,at least one nozzle is directed downwardly and at least one other nozzlespaced apart from the first nozzle is directed non-downwardly(horizontally or upwardly) so that large solid masses are dispersed orbroken and the drilling fluid is mixed homogeneously.

In certain embodiments, the present invention discloses a system inwhich not only is the pressure nozzle apparatus rotated (e.g., rotatedthru an arc or through a whole circle), but it is also translated acrossa mud container. In one aspect a pressure nozzle apparatus according tothe present invention which is rotatable is supported on a support(e.g., a beam or walkway structure) above a mud container with thepressure nozzle apparatus extending down into the mud in the container.The pressure nozzle apparatus is movable with respect to the beamstructure across the container or from side to side of the container bysuitable movement apparatus, e.g., but not limited to, an endless chainapparatus with a chain than engages a toothed gear on the pressurenozzle apparatus.

The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, systems forfacilitating flow of drilling fluid from a container of drilling fluid,the drilling fluid containing solids, the system including: pressurenozzle apparatus with at least one nozzle from which is flowable fluidunder pressure, and powered rotation apparatus connected to the pressurenozzle apparatus for selectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatusso that the at least one nozzle is rotatable within the drilling fluidcontaining solids in the container as fluid is pumped through the atleast one nozzle into the container.

The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, systems forfacilitating flow of drilling fluid from a container of drilling fluid,the drilling fluid containing solids, the system including pressurenozzle apparatus with at least one nozzle from which is flowable fluidunder pressure, and powered translation apparatus to which the pressurenozzle apparatus is connected, the powered translation apparatus formoving the pressure nozzle apparatus generally with respect to thecontainer.

What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this invention. Inaddition to the specific objects stated below for at least certainpreferred embodiments of the invention, other objects and purposes willbe readily apparent to one of skill in this art who has the benefit ofthis invention's teachings and disclosures. It is, therefore, an objectof at least certain preferred embodiments of the present invention toprovide:

New, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious drilling fluid flowfacilitation systems and methods of their use.

New, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious drilling fluid mixing systemsand methods of their use.

Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particularindividual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of themdistinguished from the prior art in their structures and functions.Features of the invention have been broadly described so that thedetailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in orderthat the contributions of this invention to the arts may be betterappreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the inventiondescribed below and which may be included in the subject matter of theclaims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefitof this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate thatthe conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis fordesigning other structures, methods and systems for carrying out andpracticing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to beread to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention recognizes and addresses the problems andlong-felt needs and provides a solution to those problems and asatisfactory meeting of those needs in its various possible embodimentsand equivalents thereof. To one skilled in this art who has the benefitsof this invention's realizations, teachings, disclosures, andsuggestions, other purposes and advantages will be appreciated from thefollowing description of preferred embodiments, given for the purpose ofdisclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwart this patent'sobject to claim this invention no matter how others may later disguiseit by variations in form or additions of further improvements.

The Abstract that is part hereof is to enable the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office and the public generally, and scientists, engineers,researchers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar withpatent terms or legal terms of phraseology to determine quickly from acursory inspection or review the nature and general area of thedisclosure of this invention. The Abstract is neither intended to definethe invention, which is done by the claims, nor is it intended to belimiting of the scope of the invention in any way.

It will be understood that the various embodiments of the presentinvention may include one, some, or all of the disclosed, described,and/or enumerated improvements and/or technical advantages and/orelements in claims to this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of embodiments of the invention brieflysummarized above may be had by references to the embodiments which areshown in the drawings which form a part of this specification. Thesedrawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not to be usedto improperly limit the scope of the invention which may have otherequally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic top view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic side cross-section view of the system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a rotation system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the system of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS PREFERRED AT THE TIME OF FILING FOR THISPATENT

As shown in FIG. 1 a mud tank 17 and a mud pit 15 each has a system 50according to the present invention for facilitating mud flow and formixing solids in the mud with drilling fluid. A drilling rig 11 drills awell 13 into a formation 25. A mud pump 33 pumps mud M in a line 36 intothe well 13 down a drillstring 22, to and through a bit apparatus 23,and then up in an annulus 26 to an exit line 27 which feeds into the mudpit 15. The mud M is pumped by a pump 37 in a line 12 into a mud tank 17from which the mud pump 33 pumps the mud in a line 35 back to the line36. Each of the systems 50 (either one or which may be deleted) includesa pressure nozzle apparatus 52; a rotation apparatus 54; and a pressurefluid supply apparatus 56. optionally, either or both systems 50 caninclude a translation apparatus 58. These apparatuses 52, 53, 54, 56,and 58 are described below.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate schematically a system 100 according to thepresent invention which has rotation, control, and translation apparatuswhich can be used with any system according to the present invention.Certain items have been deleted from FIG. 2A which are shown in FIG. 2B.

A container 102 contains drilling fluid or mud 104 in which areentrained solids 106 which are relatively easily pumpable from withinthe container and relatively larger masses or agglomerations of solids108 some of which settle on a bottom floor 101 of the container 102.

A pressure nozzle apparatus 110 has a main pipe 112 down which fluid(e.g. water, drilling fluid, water and drilling fluid, and/or any ofthese with fluid additives) is pumped from a pressurized fluid system120 in a flexible extendable line 122 which is in fluid communicationwith the main pipe 112.

A nozzle 114 projects downwardly from the main pipe 112 and fluid underpressure exits the nozzle 114 to impact the solids 106 and the masses108. Optionally, a second downwardly projecting nozzle 116 isspaced-apart from the nozzle 114 and fluid from the main pipe 112 alsoexits from the nozzle 116 under pressure. Optionally fluid is alsopumped through an upwardly-projecting nozzle 118. Optionally fluid isalso pumped through a horizontally-projecting nozzle 119, both nozzles118 and 119 in fluid communication with the main pipe 112.

Any suitable ratchet system, chain system or translation system may beused to move the system 110 across the container 102. As shown a system130 has an endless chain 132 which engages a toothed gear 111 on a pipe113 which is connected to the main pipe 112. Fluid is flowable throughthe pipe 113. A motor 134 moves the chain 132 thereby moving the system100 from side to side in the container 102.

Rotation apparatus 140 rotates the main pipe 112.

Sensors 151-155 and 159 within the container 102 and sensor 156 in aninput mud line 157 provide signals indicative of mud parameters (e.g.density, composition, viscosity) to a computer system 150 which is incommunication with a control system 160 which controls the rotationapparatus 140 and the translation apparatus 130. In response to sensedparameters of the mud in the container, the computer system 150 candirect the control system 160 to maintain or change the speed ofrotation of the rotation apparatus 140 or to stop rotation. In responseto sensed parameters of the mud in the container the computer system 150can direct the control system 160 to activate the translation apparatusto move the pressure nozzle apparatus 110 from side-to-side within thecontainer 102 or to a specific location depending on localized fluidparameters within a certain part of the container. In response to sensedparameters of the mud in the container, including its composition, thecomputer system 150 can provide an alert or warning so that neededadditives can be added to the mud.

FIG. 3 shows schematically an alternative embodiment of the system ofFIG. 1 and like numerals indicate like parts. The system 50 in the mudtank 17 agitates settled solids 82 on the bottom of the mud tank 17 anda pump system 80 pumps these solids and some drilling fluid in a line 87to a shaker system 32 (one, two, three, four or more suitable shakersfor processing the solids and drilling fluid). Undesirable solids 44exit from the top of a screen or screens 38 and are collected in a pit42. Drilling fluid 34 separated from the solids 44 flows to a tank 39and is then pumped in a line 88 into line 35 for re-use. The tank 39and/or the pit 42 may have a system according to the present invention,e.g. like the system 50. Instead of or in addition to the shaker system32, the solids and drilling fluid in the line 87 may be processed by oneor more centrifuges.

In one aspect the pump system 80 includes a centrifugal pump and a 60horsepower motor to run the pump.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a rotation system 200 according to the presentinvention for rotating a pressure nozzle apparatus 210 which has a mainpipe 212 and a nozzle 220. The system 200 is emplaceable on a supportover a container by positioning a base 202 on a suitable support. Themain pipe 212 extends up within a first outer tubular 204 which isconnected to the base 202. A second outer tubular 206 encompasses thetubular 204 and has adjustable screws or bolts 208 to adjust the heightof the tubular combination, thereby providing height adjustability forthe system 200.

The second outer tubular 206 is connected to bracing 214 which supportsa plate 216. A motor 218, gear box 222, and a motor starter 224 areconnected to the plate 216. A belt 226 driven by the gear box drives agear 230 connected to the main pipe 212, thereby rotating the main pipe212. Fluid for jetting (e.g. water, drilling fluid, drilling fluid andwater, or any of these plus additives) flows from a pressurized fluidsupply source 240, to and through a coupling 232, into a pipe 234 andthen into the main pipe 212 from which it exits via the nozzle 220.

Supports 236 connected to the plate 216 support a top member 238 throughwhich the coupling 232 passes.

The main pipe 212 is rotatable through a full 360 degrees continuously.

The present invention, therefore, provides in certain, but notnecessarily all embodiments, a system for facilitating flow of drillingfluid from a container of drilling fluid, the drilling fluid containingsolids, the system including: pressure nozzle apparatus with at leastone nozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure, and poweredrotation apparatus connected to the pressure nozzle apparatus forselectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so that the at leastone nozzle is rotatable within the drilling fluid containing solids inthe container as fluid is pumped through the at least one nozzle intothe container. Such a system may have one or some (in any possiblecombination) of the following: supply apparatus for supplying fluidunder pressure to the pressure nozzle apparatus; wherein the containeris a mud tank or a mud pit; powered translation apparatus to which thepressure nozzle apparatus is connected, the powered translationapparatus for moving the pressure nozzle apparatus generallyhorizontally with respect to the container; control apparatus forselectively controlling the powered rotation apparatus; controlapparatus for selectively controlling the powered rotation apparatus,and the control apparatus for selectively controlling the poweredtranslation apparatus; sensor apparatus within the container for sensingat least one parameter of the fluid in the container, and a computersystem for receiving signals from the sensor apparatus indicative of theat least one parameter, the computer system for directing the controlapparatus; supply apparatus for supplying fluid under pressure to thepressure nozzle apparatus, and wherein the control system is forreceiving signals from the computer system for controlling the supplyapparatus in response to said signals so that masses of solids in thedrilling fluid are dispersed; and/or the pressure nozzle apparatus formoving settled solids from a floor of a container, pump apparatus forevacuating from the container settled solids moved by the pressurenozzle apparatus, the settled solids evacuatable with drilling fluid,shaker apparatus for receiving and processing the settled solids anddrilling fluid pumped by the pump apparatus from the container, the pumpapparatus for pumping the settled solids and drilling fluid to theshaker apparatus, and the shaker apparatus for producing a flow ofre-usable drilling fluid and disposable separated-out solids.

The present invention, therefore, provides in certain, but notnecessarily all embodiments, a method for facilitating flow of drillingfluid from a container, the method including: feeding drilling fluidmaterial into a container having a system for facilitating flow ofdrilling fluid, the system comprising pressure nozzle apparatus with atleast one nozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure, andpowered rotation apparatus connected to the pressure nozzle apparatusfor selectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so that the atleast one nozzle is rotatable within the drilling fluid containingsolids in the container as fluid is pumped through the at least onenozzle into the container; the method further including dispersingmasses of solids within the drilling fluid material by pumping fluidunder pressure through the at least one nozzle and rotating the pressurenozzle apparatus with the powered rotation apparatus; wherein the massesof solids include masses of settled out solids on a floor of thecontainer; wherein the system further comprises sensor apparatus forsensing parameters of the drilling fluid material and for producingsignals indicative of measured parameters, the system having a controlsystem including computer apparatus for receiving signals indicative ofthe measured parameter and for directing the control system in responseto said signals, the method further including the computer apparatusdirecting the control apparatus; and/or wherein the system includes: thepressure nozzle apparatus for moving settled solids from a floor of acontainer; pump apparatus for evacuating settled solids moved by thepressure nozzle apparatus from the container, the settled solidsevacuatable with drilling fluid; shaker apparatus for receiving andprocessing the settled solids and drilling fluid; the pump apparatus forpumping the settled solids and drilling fluid to the shaker apparatus;and the shaker apparatus for producing a flow of re-usable drillingfluid and disposable separated-out solids; the method further includingmoving settled solids from the floor of the container; evacuatingsettled solids with drilling fluid from the container with the pumpapparatus; pumping with the pump apparatus the settled solids withdrilling fluid to shaker apparatus; and processing with the shakerapparatus the settled solids with drilling fluid, producing reusabledrilling fluid and separated-out solids.

The present invention, therefore, provides in certain, but notnecessarily all embodiments, a system for facilitating flow of drillingfluid from a container of drilling fluid, the drilling fluid containingsolids, the system including pressure nozzle apparatus with at least onenozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure, powered translationapparatus to which the pressure nozzle apparatus is connected, thepowered translation apparatus for moving the pressure nozzle apparatusgenerally with respect to the container. Such a system may includepowered rotation apparatus connected to the pressure nozzle apparatusfor selectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so that the atleast one nozzle is rotatable within the drilling fluid containingsolids in the container as fluid is pumped through the at least onenozzle into the container.

The present invention, therefore, provides in certain, but notnecessarily all embodiments, a method for recovering usable drillingfluid from solid masses adjacent a floor of a container, the methodincluding: moving solid masses adjacent a floor of a container with amoving system, the moving system comprising pressure nozzle apparatuswith at least one nozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure tomove the solid masses, and powered rotation apparatus connected to thepressure nozzle apparatus for selectively rotating the pressure nozzleapparatus so that the at least one nozzle is rotatable within thecontainer to enhance movement of the solid masses as fluid is pumpedthrough the at least one nozzle; the method further including rotatingthe pressure nozzle apparatus with the powered rotation apparatus, andevacuating from the container with pump apparatus drilling fluid andsolid masses moved by the moving system. Such a method may include:feeding the drilling fluid and solid masses evacuated from the containerto shaker apparatus for receiving and processing the drilling fluid andsolid masses; and producing with the shaker apparatus a flow ofre-usable drilling fluid and disposable separated-out solids.

In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention and theembodiments disclosed herein and those covered by the appended claimsare well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends setforth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It isrealized that changes are possible within the scope of this inventionand it is further intended that each element or step recited in any ofthe following claims is to be understood as referring to all equivalentelements or steps. The following claims are intended to cover theinvention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may beutilized. The invention claimed herein is new and novel in accordancewith 35 U.S.C. § 102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §102. The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35U.S.C. § 103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in § 103.This specification and the claims that follow are in accordance with allof the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112. The inventors may rely on theDoctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of theirinvention and of the claims that follow as they may pertain to apparatusnot materially departing from, but outside of, the literal scope of theinvention as set forth in the following claims.

1. A system for facilitating flow of drilling fluid from a container ofdrilling fluid, the drilling fluid containing solids, the systemcomprising pressure nozzle apparatus with at least one nozzle from whichis flowable fluid under pressure, powered rotation apparatus connectedto the pressure nozzle apparatus for selectively rotating the pressurenozzle apparatus so that the at least one nozzle is rotatable within thedrilling fluid containing solids in the container as fluid is pumpedthrough the at least one nozzle into the container.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising supply apparatus for supplying fluid underpressure to the pressure nozzle apparatus.
 3. The system of claim 1wherein the container is from the group consisting of mud tank and mudpit.
 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising powered translationapparatus to which the pressure nozzle apparatus is connected, thepowered translation apparatus for moving the pressure nozzle apparatusgenerally horizontally with respect to the container.
 5. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising control apparatus for selectively controllingthe powered rotation apparatus.
 6. The system of claim 4 furthercomprising control apparatus for selectively controlling the poweredrotation apparatus, and the control apparatus for selectivelycontrolling the powered translation apparatus.
 7. The system of claim 6further comprising sensor apparatus within the container for sensing atleast one parameter of the fluid in the container, and a computer systemfor receiving signals from the sensor apparatus indicative of the atleast one parameter, the computer system for directing the controlapparatus.
 8. The system of claim 7 supply apparatus for supplying fluidunder pressure to the pressure nozzle apparatus, and wherein the controlsystem is for receiving signals from the computer system for controllingthe supply apparatus in response to said signals so that masses ofsolids in the drilling fluid are dispersed.
 9. The system of claim 1further comprising the pressure nozzle apparatus for moving settledsolids from a floor of a container, pump apparatus for evacuating fromthe container settled solids moved by the pressure nozzle apparatus, thesettled solids evacuatable with drilling fluid, shaker apparatus forreceiving and processing the settled solids and drilling fluid pumped bythe pump apparatus from the container, the pump apparatus for pumpingthe settled solids and drilling fluid to the shaker apparatus, and theshaker apparatus for producing a flow of re-usable drilling fluid anddisposable separated-out solids.
 10. A method for facilitating flow ofdrilling fluid from a container, the method comprising feeding drillingfluid material into a container having a system for facilitating flow ofdrilling fluid, the system comprising pressure nozzle apparatus with atleast one nozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure, andpowered rotation apparatus connected to the pressure nozzle apparatusfor selectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so that the atleast one nozzle is rotatable within the drilling fluid containingsolids in the container as fluid is pumped through the at least onenozzle into the container, the method further comprising dispersingmasses of solids within the drilling fluid material by pumping fluidunder pressure through the at least one nozzle and rotating the pressurenozzle apparatus with the powered rotation apparatus.
 11. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the masses of solids include masses of settled outsolids on a floor of the container.
 12. The method of claim 10 whereinthe system further comprises sensor apparatus for sensing parameters ofthe drilling fluid material and for producing signals indicative ofmeasured parameters, the system having a control system includingcomputer apparatus for receiving signals indicative of the measuredparameter and for directing the control system in response to saidsignals, the method further comprising the computer apparatus directingthe control apparatus.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the systemfurther comprises the pressure nozzle apparatus for moving settledsolids from a floor of a container, pump apparatus for evacuatingsettled solids moved by the pressure nozzle apparatus from thecontainer, the settled solids evacuatable with drilling fluid, shakerapparatus for receiving and processing the settled solids and drillingfluid, the pump apparatus for pumping the settled solids and drillingfluid to the shaker apparatus, and the shaker apparatus for producing aflow of re-usable drilling fluid and disposable separated-out solids,the method further comprising moving settled solids from the floor ofthe container, evacuating settled solids with drilling fluid from thecontainer with the pump apparatus, pumping with the pump apparatus thesettled solids with drilling fluid to shaker apparatus processing withthe shaker apparatus the settled solids with drilling fluid, producingreusable drilling fluid and separated-out solids.
 14. A system forfacilitating flow of drilling fluid from a container of drilling fluid,the drilling fluid containing solids, the system comprising pressurenozzle apparatus with at least one nozzle from which is flowable fluidunder pressure, powered translation apparatus to which the pressurenozzle apparatus is connected, the powered translation apparatus formoving the pressure nozzle apparatus generally with respect to thecontainer.
 15. The system of claim 1 further comprising powered rotationapparatus connected to the pressure nozzle apparatus for selectivelyrotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so that the at least one nozzleis rotatable within the drilling fluid containing solids in thecontainer as fluid is pumped through the at least one nozzle into thecontainer.
 16. A method for recovering usable drilling fluid from solidmasses adjacent a floor of a container, the method comprising movingsolid masses adjacent a floor of a container with a moving system, themoving system comprising pressure nozzle apparatus with at least onenozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure to move the solidmasses, and powered rotation apparatus connected to the pressure nozzleapparatus for selectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so thatthe at least one nozzle is rotatable within the container to enhancemovement of the solid masses as fluid is pumped through the at least onenozzle, the method further comprising rotating the pressure nozzleapparatus with the powered rotation apparatus, and evacuating from thecontainer with pump apparatus drilling fluid and solid masses moved bythe moving system.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising feedingthe drilling fluid and solid masses evacuated from the container toshaker apparatus for receiving and processing the drilling fluid andsolid masses, and producing with the shaker apparatus a flow ofre-usable drilling fluid and disposable separated-out solids.